Illinois Fighting Illini vs. Kansas Jayhawks 9/8/23 – On Friday, September 8, 2023, at 7:30 PM ET, Illinois will face Kansas in an epic college battle at David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium televised live by ESP2. For those searching for NCAAF free picks, this college matchup is helpful in providing some valuable insights.
Illinois Fighting Illini vs. Kansas Jayhawks
Date & Time: Friday, September 8, 2023 at 7:30 PM ET
Location: David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium
TV: ESP2
Illinois Fighting Illini vs. Kansas Jayhawks 9/8/23 Betting Odds
| Moneyline | Spread | Total | |
| Illinois | +138 | +3 (+100) | 56.5 over (-110) |
| Kansas | -158 | -3 (-120) | 56.5 under (-110) |
Illinois Fighting Illini Analysis
The importance of a strong quarterback can’t be overstated, and in Luke Altmyer, Illinois has found a capable signal-caller. Completing 18 of 26 passes for 211 yards, Altmyer has shown promise. What stands out about Altmyer is his decision-making and precision, as evidenced by his 69.2% completion rate. While his longest throw was 33 yards, indicating some deep-ball capability, he had two touchdowns, showing his red-zone effectiveness. However, Altmyer did show some vulnerability, throwing an interception and getting sacked twice, affecting his rating and the team’s offensive momentum. These are areas for improvement, especially against a team like Kansas, which can capitalize on such mistakes. Illinois has a dual-threat quarterback in Altmyer, who excels in the air and on the ground. With 9 carries for 69 yards, Altmyer’s versatility is evident.
His 7.7 yards per carry are quite impressive and reflect his field awareness and ability to evade tackles. While he didn’t get into the end zone as a runner, his longest run of 18 yards indicates the potential for explosive plays. This dual-threat capability makes the Illinois offense multi-dimensional and challenging for the opposing defense. A quarterback is only as good as his receiving corps, and Altmyer has a dependable target in Pat Bryant. Bryant’s 6 catches for 64 yards may not seem overwhelming, but he can find the end zone that stands out. He scored twice, indicating a red-zone solid presence, an attribute that could be vital in tight games. With an average of 10.7 yards per catch, Bryant offers a balanced mix of short-yardage reliability and mid-range threat.
Kansas Jayhawks Analysis
Kansas also fields a formidable quarterback in Jason Bean. He’s highly efficient, completing 22 of 28 passes for 276 yards. With a completion rate of 78.6%, Bean has mastered short and intermediate throws. His average of 9.9 yards per attempt indicates a propensity for making big plays. Even more remarkable is his touchdown-to-interception ratio, throwing two touchdowns without a single interception. He wasn’t sacked in the game, which speaks volumes about Kansas’ offensive line and Bean’s pocket presence. In Devin Neal, the Jayhawks have a reliable ground weapon.
Carrying the ball 13 times for 94 yards, Neal offered a change of pace and dimension to the Jayhawks’ attack. His impressive average of 7.2 yards per carry, combined with a long run of 48 yards, provides Kansas with another offensive dimension that can break open tight games. Neal’s contributions were highlighted by his touchdown, which adds to his growing reputation as a reliable red-zone threat. Lawrence Arnold adds another layer to the Kansas offense. Although he made only 4 catches, they were impactful, accounting for 77 yards. His significant average of 19.3 yards per catch means he’s a big play waiting to happen. With the longest catch of 52 yards but no touchdowns, Arnold is a downfield threat who can stretch defenses, even if he has not yet converted those opportunities into scores.
Illinois Fighting Illini vs. Kansas Jayhawks Against the Spread
Illinois boasts a 2-4 ATS record in their last 6 games but has a strong 10-5 SU in their last 15. Remarkably, they are 8-1 ATS in their last 9 road games. Conversely, Kansas stands at 0-5 ATS in their last 5 outings but has an acceptable 5-2 SU home game record.
Illinois Fighting Illini vs. Kansas Jayhawks Free Pick
Take a look at our recommended picks regarding the in-depth analysis:
Moneyline: Illinois +138
Considering the Illinois Fighting Illini’s recent road ATS record and overall team performance.
Spread: Illinois +3 (+100)
Based on the Illinois Fighting Illini’s comprehensive gameplay and betting trends, they should cover the spread.
Total: 56.5 under (-110)
Both teams have recent trends favoring the ‘Under,’ making this the sensible choice.
Prediction: 24-28 Illinois Fighting Illini win
As we look forward to this thrilling matchup, Illinois Fighting Illini appears to be the team to beat. Their robust performance in key areas gives them the edge, making them a valuable pick on betting sites in Canada and beyond. Keep an eye on this game; it promises to be a high-stakes, high-reward showdown.
